Processing

Postdoctoral Associates - Nanosensor Lab

IRG_DiSTAP_2018_004

Overview

The Disruptive and Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) program will develop a suite of novel analytical, genetic and biosynthetic technologies that will fundamentally change how plant biosynthetic pathways are discovered, monitored, engineered and ultimately translated to meet the global demand for food and nutrients.

As a part of the DiSTAP program we will: (1) develop new tools, based on single walled carbon nanotubes and Raman spectroscopy, for the continuous measurement of important plant metabolites and hormones for novel discovery, deeper understanding and control of plant biosynthetic pathways in ways not yet possible, especially in the context of green leafy vegetables; (2) leverage these new techniques to engineer plants with highly desirable properties for global food security, including high yield density production, drought and pathogen resistance and biosynthesis of high-value commercial products; (3) develop tools for producing hydrophobic food components in industry-relevant microbes; (4) develop technologies for rewriting the genome of important industry-relevant microbial strains, to enable the introduction of long heterologous pathways, free up cellular resources, increase product yield, and improve safety and robustness; and (5) apply these technologies to improve urban farming.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking Postdoctoral Associates in the area of polymer synthesis and chemistry. The candidates will work on the development of novel polymer chemistries for use in the development of single-walled carbon nanotube based sensors for use in monitoring plant metabolites in vivo. Successful candidates will be reporting to Prof. Michael Strano (MIT) and Prof. Mary Chan Bee (NTU), and will be working in an interdisciplinary and collaborative team.

Requirements

Ph.D in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Material Science or relevant areas and should have a strong background in polymer chemistry and material science.

Highly motivated candidate who have demonstrated the development of novel polymer chemistries for use in hydrophobic colloidal suspension preferred.

Candidates are expected to have expertise in synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic polymeric materials

Candidates with additional experience in optical spectroscopy and/or plant biology will have an added advantage

Ability to collaborate, work in teams and interact with industrial collaborators

Good command of written and spoken English

Interested applicants will have to submit their full CV/resume, cover letter and list of three references (to include reference names and contact information) via the stated website. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.